MUZAFFARABAD: Raja Farooq Haider, regional president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), took oath as the 12th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday, and vowed to fight corruption and injustice even if it cost him his position.

“Let me make it very clear to all and sundry that no one should expect favouritism and injustices from me… Even if I have to go after ten or fifteen days or I am booted out of this office, I will not compromise on merit and justice,” declared Mr Haider emphatically in his brief address to a large audience after AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan swore him in.

The swearing in ceremony held under a canopy on the lawns of the assembly secretariat amid hot and humid weather was attended among others by outgoing AJK premier Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, federal ministers Chaudhry Barjees Tahir and Ahsan Iqbal, former governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan and some sitting and former parliamentarians.

Mr Haider said he would establish supremacy of the law, merit and justice as well as unselective accountability in AJK.

“Justice, justice, justice will be my foremost priority,” he said.

He pointed out that injustice and violation of merit had reduced the previous ruling party to three seats (in general elections) and he feared that a similar practice might reduce the PML-N to one seat in next elections.

Mr Haider maintained that the overwhelming majority given by the people of Azad Kashmir to PML-N was in fact an endorsement of the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for economic development and eradication of social injustices from the country.

“With this heavy mandate, we have ushered in a test which we have to get through to the satisfaction of the masses. We will work hard in accordance with the vision of our leader to achieve our goals,” he said.

He paid rich tributes to the people of India-held Kashmir for dauntlessly braving the state sponsored terrorism by more than 800,000 military and paramilitary troops.

“Martyrdom of Burhan Wani has set in a new struggle and Kashmiris have proved that they can offer any sacrifice to accomplish their goal,” he said.

He announced that he would prepare a pro-active policy in consultation with the central government to communicate the sentiments of Kashmiris to the international community.

Earlier in the day, the legislative assembly elected Mr Haider as leader of the house with a thumping majority.

Of the 48 present members, 38 voted for him and five each for Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin of Pakistan People’s Party and Deevan Ghulam Mohiuddin of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf who was backed by Muslim Conference (MC).

Responding to felicitations from members, he thanked them and reiterated his resolve to deal with corruption and bad governance with zero tolerance.

He also announced on the floor of the house to strengthen institutions and hold the long due local body elections before the end of 2016.

“Whether I stay in this office for five years or not, I will establish a merit-based system,” he said.

Speaking about the plight of Kashmiris Mr Haider called upon the United Nations to play its role in granting right to self-determination to them.

Earlier, the house unanimously adopted a resolution tabled by Ahmed Raza Qadri of PML-N. The resolution condemned atrocities on Kashmiris and denial of their fundamental rights by Indian troops.

It called upon the UN secretary general to send a fact-finding mission to India-held Kashmir and persuade other global organisations to come out in aid of Kashmiris suffering from unprecedented atrocities.

Sharif greets Haider Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and several other leaders have congratulated Mr Haider on his election as AJK premier.

In his message, Prime Minister Sharif expressed the hope that Mr Haider would work for the development and prosperity of the people of AJK and would also raise forceful voice for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.

Mr Sharif also assured Mr Haider of all out support in execution of development and reforms agenda of the federal government in AJK, “aimed at bringing social, economic and political revolution in the lives of people,” according to a handout by the AJK information department.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2016